Cayenne "Tea."--Infuse an ounce of good cayenne pepper in a pint of

boiling water. Strain out the pepper. This produces a glow of heat on

the skin when rubbed on, and may be a valuable adjunct to oil rubbing

where that is intended to raise such a glow.

Changing Treatment.--To wisely alter and arrange the treatment in any

case is of the utmost importance. Treatment which at first gives great

relief will often become ineffective or even painful. Then some other

way of cure must be tried. Sometimes cold applications will become

painfully cold. Heating for a time is then effective, and cooling can

again be given after the heating. Soapy lather on an inflamed part will

do delightful service for a while, then it may become painful. Warm oil

may then be used instead. When this becomes irritant, a return to the

soap will cure. Or the hot bathing of a sore knee may be most effective

for a while, and then may give rise to sore pain. In such a case, cease

the bathing, and for a time apply the soapy lather. Do not despair

because a thing "loses its effect." Its apparent loss of power only

indicates a needed change of treatment. Common sense will guide in

this, and the true healer and nurse will be able to judge what is best

to do.

We have a case in which, after long rubbing with acetic acid, the skin

seemed to become so used to it that little or no effect was produced.

For a few days an alkali, in the simple form of "hartshorn" (ammonia)

was rubbed on instead of the acid. The acid rubbing was then resumed,

and produced its usual effect. Such plans will occur to all who are

thoughtful, and do not just blindly follow instructions.

Cold-water cloths have got in certain circles to be fashionable, so

that they are used exclusively in all cases. A knee joint has got

wrong, and it is deemed the right thing to wear a cold bandage

constantly round it. But this fails to have the desired effect. It may

not fail entirely, so long as there is some vital energy on which to

"come and go," as we say, the effect of the reaction will be to give a

measure of relief. But in very many cases this vital energy is

deficient. If in such a case the person advising it has only thought

enough to have recourse to an hour's hot fomentation once or twice a

day, the effect desired may not be long delayed. Supposing something

like inflammation of the lungs has to be dealt with. Cold is applied on

the chest, as it is often most successfully applied, when there is

still a good deal of energy to be drawn upon. But in this case there is

not sufficient energy. Well pack the feet and legs in a thoroughly hot

fomentation, such as will renew a full supply of heat all over the

body. Then you will find the cooling of the chest thoroughly effectual.

In a very considerable correspondence we meet often with this resolve:

"We shall continue to do as you direct till we hear from you again." We

remember telling a young man to put a hot bran poultice between his

shoulders for a troublesome cough. We saw him no more for months, but

when we did meet him he apologised for not continuing the application.

He said, "I poulticed my shoulders for three weeks, and they began to

get soft, so I stopped doing it." We certainly thought his head had

been soft to begin with! Why should not sensible men and women get a

little independent thought of their own?

It may be well to remark that the cessation of all treatment is a

change, and often a very beneficial one too. If you do not know what to

do when any treatment is "losing its effect," or having the opposite

effect to that which it had, just cease to do anything till you see

manifestly what is needed. The rest of a week, or even two, may be just

the thing wanted. If it is, it will ease the pain; if it does not, you

will see that probably the opposite of what you had been doing will

suit.

Chapped Hands.--Our idea is that this is caused by the soda in the soap

used. At any rate, we have never known any one to suffer from chapped

hands who used M'Clinton's soap _only_.

It is made from the ash of plants, which gives it a mildness not

approached by even the most expensive soaps obtainable.

If the hands have become chapped, fill a pair of old loose kid gloves

with well wrought Lather (_see_), putting these on just when getting

into bed, and wearing till morning. Doing this for two or three nights

will cure chapped, or even the more painful "hacked" hands, where the

outer skin has got hard and cracked down to the tender inner layer.

Chest Pains.--_See_ Angina Pectoris.

Chest Protectors.--These are often piled on the front of the body,

while the far more important _back_ is left exposed. In many cases of

delicacy and cough, particularly with women, it is far more effective

to protect the upper back with warm extra flannel than to place

covering on the chest. This alone will sometimes cure distressing

coughs. In every case, such "protection," whether to back or breast,

should be such as to secure free escape of perspiration (_see_

Underwear). A sheet of fine wadding is excellent. Where less heat is

desired, new flannel is the best. Often, also, chest trouble is best

helped by protecting the soles of the feet. If these and the back are

kept warm, there is little fear or harm at the front of the chest. Let

the back covering, where it is used, come down as far as the top of the

hip bones.

Chilblains.--These occur in hands and feet where the circulative power

is feeble, either from weakness or from tight pressure of boots or

gloves. The cold has power, owing to lack of circulation, to partly

kill the skin, which thus becomes painfully inflamed, and swells. To

increase and maintain circulation in the part is to cure it. In the

early stages, when heat and itching are felt, a good rubbing with hot

olive oil and cayenne tea will often cure. But if this fail, pack the

foot or hand in cloths soaked with vinegar. If the pain is great, place

the packed foot or hand in hot water for a few minutes or more. After

this immersion repack with vinegar-soaked cloths, cover well up with

dry flannel, and wear this packing all night. In cases where weakness

is the root of the trouble, rub the back once a day with hot oil until

a glow of heat arises all over it. Do this daily for a fortnight _at

least_. Where tight boots or gloves are the cause, these must be

discarded for more easily fitting ones.

Child-bearing.--Simple remedies such as we advocate are found of

immense service in mitigating both the pains of child-birth and the

troubles coming before and after it.

To see that the medical man is one thoroughly competent is the first

duty of those responsible in such a case. Incompetent and careless

doctors are the cause of much trouble. Get, then, the _best you can_.

Much may be done, however, to prevent trouble by very simple means.

The sufferings usually accompanying pregnancy and the birth of children

in civilized countries are largely confined to the higher classes.

Working women escape much of the pain their more luxurious sisters have

to endure. Travellers tell us how, among the Red Indians, Negroes,

South Sea Islanders and others who live more in a state of nature than

we, the women suffer but little in childbirth, and return to their

ordinary occupations almost immediately after the event. The adoption

of a simple and natural diet, healthy exercise combined with sufficient

rest and rational clothing, have been found to ensure an easy delivery

as well as good health for mother and child.

The _diet_ of the pregnant mother is of great importance. Too much food

is worse than useless. Food should only be taken of such a kind and

quality as can be easily assimilated. The mother is best who takes only

so much light food as she can easily convert into good blood. More,

simply loads the system with useless waste or fat.

The diet during pregnancy should be mainly vegetables, fruit, salad,

rice, tapioca, milk, eggs in moderation, and a small amount of

wholemeal bread. A little meat or fish once a day is allowable for

those whom it suits, but rich, spicy dishes, pastry, strong tea, coffee

and all alcoholic drinks are very injurious. Three meals a day with no

"snacks" of any kind between, are sufficient. For those who have reason

to dread a hard confinement, oatmeal is best avoided. To avoid fluids

while eating is important, especially for those who have a weak

digestion. One may drink half-an-hour before meals or three hours

after, but if plenty of fruit and salad is eaten and little salt used

with the food there will be little thirst. Too much fluid should not be

drunk, if thirst is felt, water very slowly sipped will quench it

better than copious draughts. During pregnancy there is often a craving

for acid fruits, this is nature's call for what is needful at such a

time. Fruits and green vegetables supply a large quantity of most

valuable salts which go to make good blood and build up all parts of

the body. Never force the appetite. Food that is neither relished nor

digested will do more harm than good.

It must never be forgotten that the blood of the child is being

directly derived from that of the mother, consequently if the diet is

of such a nature as to induce over-abundance of fat, the child will be

born too fat. This does not mean a healthy child by any means, and it

may mean considerable extra pain for the mother. A mother inclined to

thinness need not fear that this diet will reduce her. The taking of

cream, eggs, bacon and other fat foods often has the opposite effect

from that desired. A thin person adopting the above light diet will

generally get into good condition.

Under the head of _exercise_, the first we would recommend is general

housework, provided windows are kept open, avoiding the more laborious

parts, and always being careful not to get over-fatigued. Light

gardening, walks, if not too long, and light gymnastic exercises are

all beneficial. The exercises described in the appendix, practised for

ten minutes at a time, once or twice a day, are quite suitable for the

expectant mother, while deep breathing (_see_ Breathing, Correct Method

of) is most valuable.

The subject of _dress_ should be particularly studied. Garments which

are light, warm, porous, and which in no way impede or restrict the

movements and natural functions of the body, should be worn. It has

been found that those who wear no corset nor tight band or bodice will

suffer but little, if at all, from morning sickness. Corsets, by

holding immobile the waist muscles, prevent their getting strong.

Anyone who is accustomed to corsets, when she leaves them off for a day

will complain of "such a tired feeling, as if she would break in two."

This is easily accounted for, the muscles, unused to the task of

holding up the body, are flabby and useless. These same muscles when

called on, at the moment of delivery, are totally unfit for their work,

hence comes a large amount of the unnecessary suffering. The remedy

is--discard the corsets, bear with the tiredness for a week or two and

regularly practice the exercises recommended above, especially the

waist exercises of bending and turning. The muscles will soon gain

strength, and the corset be found to be quite unnecessary and most

uncomfortable.

In the commencement of pregnancy, when there is sickness and vomiting,

we have seen it cured, even when so severe as to threaten life, by

spreading over the patient's irritated stomach, a soft, fine soap

lather (_see_ Lather and Soap). It acts in such cases like a charm. The

lather is well and _gently_ spread with a _soft_ brush all over the

stomach. Wipe it gently off with a _soft_ cloth. Cover again with fresh

lather. Do this five or six times. Then treat the back in the same

manner, behind the stomach. In half-an-hour all retching should cease.

When the stomach has had a rest of some hours, a small quantity of

light food may be given. Half a Saltcoat's biscuit (_see_) thoroughly

masticated, and a little milk and boiling water may be enough to take

at one time. Do not force the appetite, wait until a desire for food is

felt. Pass by degrees to ordinary food.

If the mother, at any time, feels faint, on no account give brandy.

Drop five drops of tincture of cayenne on a lump of sugar. Dissolve it

in half a teacupful of hot water, and give this instead. In cases of

heartburn, take small drinks of hot water, say a tablespoonful every

five minutes. A very great help to the expecting mother is found in the

cold sitz-bath (_see_ Sitting Bath). Baths known as "Matlock Baths" may

be had, which suit very well for this purpose; but a tub for washing,

of a suitable size, would do very well, or even a large sized bedroom

basin will serve. Put in cold water, three inches deep, and let the

patient sit in it. In winter have the water cold, but not freezing. The

rest of the body may be kept warm with a wrap, and if the patient feels

cold, the feet may be placed in hot water. Taken once or twice a day

this bath will have a tonic effect on the whole system, and a markedly

cheering effect on the mind. The time in the bath is shorter or longer

according to the patient's strength and power of reaction. Feeling will

be the best guide, but even a dip of half-a-minute will do good.

In regard to the actual birth, we repeat that those concerned should

see to the attendance of a _really_ skilful medical man. Chloroform in

the hands of such a doctor is of immense value, but in unskilful hands

it is dangerous. Therefore let expense be no bar, where it is possible,

to the obtaining the best medical aid that can be had.

Many trivial matters greatly affect the mother during child-birth, and

the few succeeding hours. We have known a stupid remark by an

incompetent nurse spoil a mother's health for months. The greatest care

must be exercised by all concerned to say only cheerful and soothing

things to the sufferer. Even the aspect of the room is important. It

should look sunwards, if possible, and hideous pictures should be

removed, while perhaps some text speaking comfortably of the Good

Shepherd, who "will gently lead those that are with young," may be hung

up. Trifles these, but their effect is no trifle.

Do not keep the patient in too hot a room; fresh air is of great value.

Do not leave her for nine days in an unchanged bed. The necessary

sponging and changing should be done daily. Cleanliness means comfort

here, and comfort health. It is not early sponging and washing, but a

nine days' steaming in unchanged bedclothes which causes chills. After

cool sponging, a gentle rubbing under the bedclothes with hot olive

oil, over the body and limbs, will be very refreshing. All clothes,

etc., and the hands of the attendants should be most carefully washed

and cleaned before they touch the patient. Too much care in this matter

of cleanliness cannot be taken, as it is of the _first importance_ as a

preventative of many troubles.

What are called "After Pains" often give much distress. Drugs and

alcohol should be strictly avoided. The difficulty here is in the

objection so many have to cold applications. These, after child-birth,

are not dangerous, but form a short and simple road to health. Making

handfuls of soapy lather (_see_ Lather) and rubbing these gently over

the pains, both back and front, is most powerfully soothing, and has no

tendency to chill.

Where severe pains, indicating inflammatory action, are felt in the

bowels, this lather should at once be applied, and followed up with

cold cloths over the bowels, applied as to the chest in Bronchitis

(_see_). The bran poultice should always be applied at the same time,

putting it on before the cold towels, over all the lower back (_see_

Bran Poultice). Sips of hot water will also powerfully help in all

cases of such pain.

Treatment on these lines will deal with even very severe cases of After

Pains.

Children and Teachers.--Children are of the utmost value to society;

through any one of them the divine light may shine which will bless

many generations. They are very easily hurt by unwise treatment and

teaching. We would have the teacher and parent impressed with the

preciousness of even the most delicate child. _Health of mind and

body_, not attainment, must be the _first consideration_ in the

teaching of the young. It ought to be as much the teacher's business to

see that pupils do not suffer in health as to see that lessons (often

quite useless) are learned (_see_ articles on Brow, Weary, and Eyes,

Failing Sight). We would again emphasise the truth that no child should

be undervalued for its delicate health. Delicate children have often

become men and women without whom the world would be vastly poorer.

Children in Fever.--Fevered children, whether in any actual fever, as

scarlet, typhoid, or any other, or merely heated from some minor

ailment, should be treated as under Fever. Have two small towels, wring

them tightly out of cold water, fold one gently round the head. _Press

it gently_ all round and over the head. It will be heated in one minute

in some cases, longer in others. Change it for the other then, and

proceed alternately till the head is cooled. Perhaps that may take

half-an-hour. The time will be less for a young infant, more for a boy

or girl in their teens. Common sense, and an examination of the pulse,

will guide as to the proper time. The head is the chief consideration

in this treatment, but attention to the state of the stomach and bowels

is also very important. Any indigestible substance must be removed, and

sips or small drinks of hot water will greatly help in this, as well as

proper medicine. Castor oil is a good, simple drug for ordinary cases.

If there is coldness in the feet in such fevered cases, a fomentation

may be applied over the legs, or even up to the haunches. This will

greatly reinforce the cooling of the head, and prevent any possible

chill. The water used for cooling should be about 50 deg. F., or at

least near that temperature, in the case of infants. Water which has

stood some time in an ordinary room will do excellently. It should

neither be icy nor warm. Typhoid fever itself has been cured with this

head cooling alone.

Children's Clothing.--An infant's clothing should be soft, warm, and

light in weight, covering all parts of the body with equal warmth.

Tight bands and long, heavy skirts should never be used, the dress and

petticoat being just long enough to keep the feet covered and warm. If

from the first a baby is "held out" always after being nursed, it

learns to urinate at that time, and the clumsy diapers can be dispensed

with in a few months. _No ordinary pins_ should be used, and as few

safety pins as possible. Tapes properly arranged will keep all secure.

Flannelette should never be used, being so very inflammable (_see_

Children's Dangers).

With infants, as with older children, it is a mistake to heap on too

much clothing. Many children by such coddling, which is intended to

prevent them catching cold, are rendered delicate and susceptible to

chills. Just enough clothing should be worn to keep the little one

comfortably warm and no more. The same applies to bed-clothes; they

should be light and not excessive, only enough to keep the child

comfortable.

Babies thoroughly enjoy a time every day without clothes, when they can

kick to their hearts' content. If this is begun by degrees, a short

time at first, gradually getting longer every day, there will be no

danger of giving the child cold through letting it lie unclothed, on a

rug on the floor for half-an-hour at a time, with the window open. The

air-bath will invigorate and strengthen the system. Rubbing with the

hand all over the little ones body during this time will be enjoyed,

and effectually prevent any chilliness, if it is dreaded.

Children's Dangers.--Avoidance of the causes of disease requires some

idea of the dangers to which children are exposed in the usual

upbringing. For instance, sitting on damp ground, cold stones, or even

a cool window-sill, is a fruitful cause of bowel trouble. The remedy

for such an exposure is proper warm FOMENTATION (_see_) of the chilled

parts, followed by hot olive oil rubbing and careful clothing.

Again, _rich diet_, especially for delicate children, is a great cause

of trouble. What we have written concerning food, and the article

Assimilation, should be read to guide on this.

Again, the child is exposed to falls, and falls into water, leading

sometimes to drowning. Timely thought would prevent nearly all such

accidents. Do not wait until the trouble comes. Protect exposed streams

and wells near the house. Shut doors and gates in time. Also the

directions of the Humane Society for the recovery of the partly drowned

(_see_ Drowning) should be in every house, and as soon as possible both

boys and girls should learn to swim.

Again, children are in danger through careless attendants. They may be

let fall, or capsized in perambulators. Spinal injury is often caused

by such falls. In case of any broken or disjointed limbs, the bandaging

of infants should be of a gentle kind, and encasement in starch or

plaster jackets should be avoided. In every way the natural growth and

circulation should be helped, not hindered by strapping and tight

bandaging. The timely consulting of a _really good_ doctor will often

prevent serious trouble in any case of a fall.

Another source of danger is the exposure of children to the possibility

of burning or scalding. Wherever there are young children fires should

be guarded, and matters so arranged that they cannot come in the way of

boiling water. Much that seems impossible in such protection becomes

easy enough to a determined person, and a great deal of sore illness

can be averted by taking a little trouble. A child should never be in

the place where there is a pan of boiling water on the floor, nor in

any house should it be _possible_ for a child to pull a kettle full of

boiling water on its head.

If, however, scalding occur, apply the cold treatment as detailed in

the article on Burns.

In case of contracted limbs or features, occurring from severe burning,

the rubbing treatment (_see_ Children's Healthy Growth), will be

effective as a cure.

Children's clothing should never be made of flannelette, it is so

liable to take fire if the child approaches the grate. At hundreds of

inquests coroners have directed attention to the terrible loss of life

from this cause.

Medicines and all poisonous substances should be carefully labelled,

and kept out of children's reach. If by accident a child should have

taken poison administer an antidote (_see_ Poisoning). Should a child

swallow a nail, button or some such hard substance, do not give any

purgative medicine. It will pass out more safely when embedded in solid

fæces. Examine the stools carefully so that anxiety may be allayed when

the foreign substance is seen.

Children's Deformed Feet.--_See_ Club Foot.

Children's Healthy Growth.--Often either the whole system or some part

fails to grow properly. In this way the spine or legs may become

curved, or generally the child is small and feeble. Growth depends

largely on the organic nerve centres. Lack of power there causes even

deformity itself. Treatment, therefore, must be such as to restore to

these centres their energy, and increase it. Do not force the child to

stand or walk when wearied. If he uniformly refuses these attitudes,

have patience till he gathers power. Wash all over at bedtime with warm

water and M'Clinton's soap. Dry, and rub all over with warm olive oil.

Wipe this also gently off. Let the rubbing be such, along each side of

the spine, as will bring the organic nerves into action. Gentle, slow,

steady motion of the hand is best for this. All painful or irritating

rubbing is positively hurtful. Let this be done every night, and even

incipient deformity will be cured in time.

The nerves are in some cases irritable, and great restlessness and

involuntary movement, accompanied even with twisting of the neck, shows

itself. This will yield to skilful cooling of the spinal nerves with

damp cloths. _See_ St. Vitus' Dance.

An opposite kind of nervous failure shows itself as paralysis. The hand

and arm, or foot, trails helplessly, owing to motor nerve failure. This

will often yield to the spinal rubbing and poulticing mentioned above.

Another state of failure is indicated by "numbness" in the fingers and

toes. The spinal rubbing and poulticing with bran will also be

effective for this. Sometimes lack of nerve force shows itself as

failure to walk at the proper time. The child cannot use its limbs

properly, although these are right enough in shape and size. The cure

for this is persistent gentle rubbing with warm oil, as recommended

above, over the whole body, but especially over the back. Feel for the

muscles and bones, and adapt your hand to their shape, going down into

the hollows immediately on each side of the spine, and paying

particular attention to the _upper_ part in the failure of the _arms_,

and the _lower_ part in failure of the _legs_. This rubbing is a most

powerful remedy, but it must be patiently and well applied twice a day

for a length of time. Bear in mind that gradual cures are most

permanent. Even creeping paralysis in adult persons yields to this

rubbing. No doubt it is _work_, but it is well repaid. All troubles

where failing nerves are concerned may be treated with some

modification of this heat and rubbing. Our readers can easily adapt it

to particular needs by a little thought. _See_ Spine, Misshapen, and

Massage.

Children's Limbs.--Frequently a failure of some kind shows itself in

the limbs of some children. Usually it appears as either _bending_ or

inability to walk at the proper age, or both together. To use "steel

boots" and kindred appliances is to ignore the true nature of the

trouble, and most likely to increase it. What is wanted is proper

growth in the limb. To secure this, the nerve system of the spine must

be stimulated, and there is no better stimulus to be had than

"massage." When any substance is rubbed on, it is almost always the

rubbing, rather than the substance, which has the good effect. Hence we

recommend rubbing with simply good olive oil. For an infant, the back

must be massaged very gently, taking care not to hurt the child in any

way. It should be applied especially up and down each side of the back

bone, where there is a softer region, full of important nerve centres.

The limbs may also be gently rubbed. A genial heat should be raised in

all the infant's body by these means, and, if rightly done, the child

will eagerly wish for it again. Half-an-hour a day may be given to

this. It is well to persevere for a long time, and never give up hope.

Many a weak-limbed child has grown up a strong, healthy man or woman.

_See_ Massage.

The food in such cases should be good ordinary food. We have never been

able to see the good of cod liver oil that is so generally recommended.

It seems to us a most unnatural thing for a human being, young or old.

Cream and butter will supply a far more easily assimilated fat at much

lower cost. We may also say that honey is more wholesome and fattening

than malt extract, and costs only one-fifth of the price.

The feeding of children on corn flour, often made with but little milk,

is a fruitful source of rickets. The same may be said of white bread,

the flour having been largely deprived of its food salts. Giving

children lime water, with the idea that the body can convert it into

bone (as a hen makes her egg shells out of old mortar) is an entire

mistake. The human system cannot use such inorganic material. The men

of best bone, so far as we can judge, are those who have been nourished

in great measure on good oatmeal.

Children's Nerves.--The nervous system of children is often damaged by

shock or fright, sometimes very seriously, so that paralysis or

hysterical affections come on.

Blindness, deafness, loss of speech, every possible loss of function

may follow a violent shock to a child's mind or bodily system. Care

must be taken to avoid this. The moment you see the child affected by

any strange sight or sound have, if possible, the child removed or the

affecting object put away, or have some one who can soothe the child

brought to calm its mind. This properly done, and done quickly, will

usually prevent any evil effects. If, however, these come on, treatment

can do a very great deal to remedy the ill. If fits come on, lay the

child flat on his back, with head slightly raised. Place a piece of

cork or wood between the teeth, fastened so as to prevent the

possibility of its being swallowed, and loosen all the clothes, until

the fit is over. Continue to soothe the mind, and instil happy thoughts

such as God gives every Christian the right to think, even in the worst

times of trial. Bring before the child's mind some cheery tales or

interesting objects. Allay all fears, and soothe all sorrows, as far as

possible.

If, however, the fits come on again, with blackening of the face, _do

not treat harshly_, but apply a cold towel along the spinal cord in the

morning in bed. This will soothe even unreasonable passion, and remove

stubbornness. Or if the fit is "on," put warmly to bed, and then apply

the cold towel. Medical aid, when available, should also be summoned.

If a faint comes on, that points to the need of a hot fomentation along

the spine instead of a cold towel. It is not difficult as a rule to

distinguish between the fit, with its frequent convulsive cramps and

blackening of the face, and the simple faint of exhaustion. In the

first the patient is all "strung up," and in the last the very

opposite.

Children's Sleep.--This most important matter of good sleep for the

child depends not only on health of body but on ease of the infant's

mind. It is wrong to treat the child otherwise than through the

understanding, where he is afraid, or in a strange place. Waking up,

after being put to sleep in a strange room, the little one may receive

a shock which may prevent sleep for the rest of the night. If he be

patiently soothed and matters explained, all will be well; but it is a

great cruelty to thrash or threaten in such a case. To frighten a child

with ghost stories, or "Bogies," IS TO COMMIT A SERIOUS CRIME. It is

not dealt with by the law, but it certainly deserves to be. Never bring

before a child's mind any _imaginary terrors_; rather teach it to

understand them in such a way as to remove any cause of fear. But do

not _force_ a child to examine an object which it fears, you may do

terrible damage before you can explain. All fears should be most

carefully dealt with, and no force employed; the little one who has no

imaginary terrors, and is kindly taught to think every fearful image at

bottom some innocent cloak or shadow, will sleep soundly and grow

healthy in mind.

When, however, ill-health is the cause of wakefulness, other means must

be used. Cold feet, and chilly feelings generally, frequently keep

children from sleep. Pack in such cases the lower limbs up to the waist

in thick folded flannel FOMENTATION (_see_). This will often not only

give sleep, but prevent more serious trouble. All soothing powders and

narcotic drugs should be most strictly avoided.

Often the child is sleepless from feverish heat instead of coldness;

then cooling applications should be used (_see_ Children in Fever).

These may take the form of two caps for the head of thickest cotton

cloth: one, tight fitting, to be wrung out of cold water and put on,

the other, looser and dry, to be put on over the first. This alone will

often secure a night's sleep. Or the head may be soaped (_see_ Head,

Soaping). It is inadvisable to rock a child to sleep, it will go to

sleep if comfortable.

Children's Strength.--The question often arises as to the ability of

children to bear certain kinds of treatment. It must ever be

remembered, both in hot and cold applications, that the infant should

be _gently_ dealt with. Violent cold and burning heat must alike be

avoided.

With a gentle application of heat before bracing cold is used,

considerable power of endurance is imparted. Strong blisters and

violent medicines should never be used. Very much less treatment will

affect the infant than that required for an older child. And in almost

every case the most durable cures are reached by gradual progress.

Children's Swellings.--Sometimes these occur as merely relaxed tissue

full of blood. In this case everything about the part seems right and

healthy except the swelling. The skin is right and the temperature

also. Treatment such as restores nerve energy will usually cure these

(_see_ Children's Nerves). In other cases the tumour will be full of

watery waste, or there may be a simple dropsical swelling owing to

failure in kidney action. This last is usually easily cured. It ought

never to be "tapped," as this draws off the strength desired. A simple

FOUR-PLY BANDAGE (_see_) of new flannel worn round the body will often

be enough to cure infants of even dropsical tumours. In other cases

this is used in conjunction with the bran poultice and rubbing

recommended above for cases of nerve failure.

Wherever the swelling is, increase the vital force that supplies the

gland, and so you will cure the whole evil at its source. Many will

tell you to "purify the blood," but there is no blood purifier like the

system which God himself has provided, in the organs of the body made

for the purpose. Only increase the action of these, and you will have

pure everything as well as pure blood. You will do it by good

fomentation, by good rubbing, by judicious clothing, and also by wise

feeding. You will do it to some extent even by good kind words. You

will help the process by good, clean washing, such as warm vinegar

gives over a weakened surface. You will scarcely fail to gain your end

if you use these means in time.

Children's Teething.--_See_ Teething.

Children's Treatment.--This should always be managed so as to soothe

and not excite the little patients. They are very sensitive to heat and

cold. When these are applied the child often cries, so that the

"treatment" is condemned and given up. What should be condemned is the

nurse's want of skill. In every case the cold or hot application should

be so managed as to be agreeable. Very gentle heat at first may be

succeeded by stronger heat without shock. So mildly cool applications

may be followed by colder ones in the same way. There is no sense or

benefit in dashing a burning poultice or freezing towel on a delicate

person, either infant or adult, and sense is above all our guide in

these pages.

Chills.--(1) Nerve or imaginary chills. These are _feelings_ of cold,

where there is no real chilling; the back feels as if cold water were

poured down it, or even the whole body feels chilled, when an

examination will show that there is no real chill whatever. Nervous

patients are peculiarly liable to this, and often are greatly alarmed

at it. The treatment in such cases is partly mental; let the patient

know that the chilly feeling is only a _feeling_, and nothing alarming.

This will often of itself remove it; so will a cheery thought or a

cheery talk. Physical treatment may begin with such a rubbing of the

head as is recommended in Eyes, Squinting. Then treat the whole body to

a gentle massage on similar principles. This will sometimes cause nerve

chills at first to increase; but the patient will soon disregard this,

and the squeezing very gently of the muscles will stimulate and revive

the organic nerves. Warm olive oil used in this squeezing process will

help greatly. It may be that a considerable time will be required

before these nerve states are entirely overcome, but with anything like

careful treatment they will gradually be so. Keep the patient warm in

bed the while. Give easily assimilated food (_see_ Assimilation). A

mixture of milk and _boiling_ water in equal quantities may be freely

taken. This treatment will besides greatly help nervousness of every

kind.

(2) In the case of _real_ chill to the surface of the body, _shivering_

is an early symptom. If the frame is strong, the shiver may pass off

and no evil results follow: but frequently this is not the case, and

trouble is apt to intervene. In such a case give a thorough rubbing all

over the body, and especially the back and chilled part, with warm

olive oil; this, if applied early enough, will probably prevent all ill

consequences,--it will at least mitigate them. If the chill has passed

into feverishness however, this treatment will not suit; but we only

deal here with the cold shivering stage. The rubbing will be greatly

assisted by a good hot fomentation to the feet, or even up to the

haunches. The use of Kneipp linen underwear, by promoting a healthy

action of the skin, and rapidly conducting away the perspiration from

its surface, will do much to prevent chills, either real or imaginary.

_See_ Angina Pectoris, Underwear, Massage.

Chloroform.--_See_ Child-bearing.

Circulation of the Blood.--Nothing is more important for the health or

healing of any organ or part of the body than a good supply of arterial

blood. Venous blood, collected by the veins after it has done its work

all over the body, or blood stagnating in congested organs, is useless

for growth and healing. To promote a vigorous circulation of blood in

any part we wish to cure is, then, of great importance; this may be

done by helping the heart in various ways, especially if that be weak.

Lying down, and lying comfortably on the face, greatly assists

circulation. Placing a fainting person in this position will often

suffice to restore him. In congestion of any part, if possible keep

that part,--head, hand, or foot, as the case may be--above the level,

so that the escape of blood from it may be easy. _Raising_ an inflamed

finger or toe thus, and keeping it up, will often relieve severe pain.

In inflamed kidneys, make the sufferer lie on his face as much as

possible. Other positions in other cases will be suggested by common

sense.

Again, heat expands the vessels of the body, and cold contracts them.

Cooling a congested part assists to drive excess of blood out of it,

and heating some other part opens accommodation for the blood so

expelled. This explains our hot poultice and fomentation as used with

cold cloths. Common sense will show us how to apply it as a principle

of treatment in many cases.

Again, a congested limb may often be very greatly relieved by proper

rubbing along the soft parts, the strokes being firm and steady, and

directed from the extremity of the limb towards the body. This rubbing

along the thigh relieves very much all swellings in the foot, ankle,

leg and knee. This principle may be widely applied by a little

common-sense thought.

Climate and Soil.--The soil on which one lives is a matter of primary

importance; it may be a matter of life or death for a weakly person,

but it is important for every one. First, as regards the subsoil on

which a house is built. If this be clay, or impervious rock, then no

possible system of drainage can make the site a dry one; this condition

of affairs will be very bad indeed for health. No house should be built

on such a soil if at all possible to avoid it. Light open gravel and

sand, as subsoil, make the very best health conditions. The surface

soil is also important. If this be such that streets and garden walks

dry quickly after rain, you have elements of health; if they remain

long wet, then you have elements of unhealthiness. If the soil be

right, then the climate is to be considered. The mere situation of two

houses, only half a mile apart, will make all the difference in this,

and should be carefully watched. A house sheltered on the south and

west, exposed to the north and east, is badly situated; the opposite

exposure is usually good. Plenty of sun should fall upon the house all

day, and on all sides, if that be possible. Yet it must be seen that no

hollow or stagnant air be chosen; it is nearly as bad as stagnant

water, for in mild winds, dryness of soil and air, and abundant sun,

lie much virtue for health and healing.

Clothing.--Clothing should be light yet warm, and sufficiently free so

as not to interfere with bodily movements. The clothing next the skin

should, we think, be linen, as being more porous and absorbent than

wool (_see_ Underwear). No woman who values her health should submit to

any tight lacing. The organs of the body require every inch of space

for the proper performance of their functions, and if they are unduly

squeezed many serious complaints may result. Besides the skin is a

breathing organ, and it is most important that air should readily reach

it (_see_ Tight Lacing).

Long trains should not be worn, as they are most effective agents for

sweeping up germs of diphtheria, consumption, etc. Skirts should not be

hung from the waist, but from the shoulders, and should be light in

weight. Tight boots and high heels are both to be condemned.

The practice of wearing mufflers, or any tight wrapping round the neck

region, is injurious and enervating to this part of the body. The

sailor, though exposed to more rough weather than any other class, is

free from throat or chest trouble, and can stand both heat and cold

better than soldiers. Sailors are, indeed, the only sensibly dressed

men in our country. Soldiers, in their tight-fitting tunic and stiff

collars, are the worst. They constantly die of heat and apoplexy, when

farm labourers doing more work are nothing the worse.

Club Foot.--Children are not unfrequently born with this deformity in

one or other of its various shapes. The cause is to be sought in such a

defective state of the nervous system as hinders the proper growth of

these parts. If the nerves are treated rightly, the limbs will so grow

that the defect will disappear. We speak from positive knowledge of

cases so cured.

Treatment must first stimulate the spinal nerves; gentle, continued

rubbing on each side of the spine with hot olive oil will do this.

Proceed, after some time of this, to rub and knead the haunch, thigh,

and leg with the same hot oil. Continue this, gradually descending,

until the defective foot is reached and similarly treated. We have

known even adults cured in this way, with perseverance. Ten or fifteen

minutes of this treatment before a fire, or in a warm room, every

night, will do wonders. A skilful surgeon can do much to remedy this,

but one _really_ skilful should be chosen. _See_ Massage.

Cold in the Head.--Infants often are prevented sucking by this form of

cold closing up the nostrils. In such a case have a small cap of cotton

to fit the head. Wring this out of cold water, and fit it on the

child's head. Put on over it a rather larger and thicker cap of the

same material. Often the nostrils will open in two or three seconds,

and the cold will speedily be cured, if no more be wrong. Observe that

the child be _warm_ during this treatment. If the case is obstinate,

secure good medical aid, for constitutional weakness, or even some

deformity of the nostrils, may be present as cause, where the trouble

exists from birth.

For adults similarly affected, a towel wrung out of cold water and

wrapped round the head, with another _dry_ one above, will answer the

purpose.

For severe cases, pack the feet and legs in hot fomentation for an

hour, and apply a cold towel as above. This last method should always

be pursued where the patient feels chilly. Cold in the head may often

be checked by use of dilute vinegar. _See_ Nostrils.

Cold, Settled.--A cold is often easily overcome. At other times it

"sits down," as country people say, and refuses to be cured, a hard dry

cough continuing for a long time, and causing sleeplessness and general

weakness. In such a case first try to secure an increase generally of

vital energy. At night rub the feet and legs with hot olive oil. Pack

them for three-quarters of an hour in a good _large_ blanket

fomentation, open out, and dry well, oil and dry again, put on a pair

of cotton stockings, and put the patient to bed. In the morning, place

a towel tightly wrung out of cold water all round the back and breast.

Cover this well with dry towels, and tuck the patient in, so that he

becomes warm and comfortable. In three-quarters of an hour open out,

dry the skin, oil it and dry again. Then the ordinary clothing may be

put on. The second evening it will be well to pack in the SOAPY BLANKET

(_see_). Next morning the towel envelope should be repeated as before.

The third evening, put a large BRAN POULTICE (_see_) between the

shoulders. While this is on apply cold to the chest, as in treatment

for BRONCHITIS (_see_). It is good to take sips of hot water at any

time if the cough is troublesome. A teaspoonful of boiled liquorice and

linseed two or three times a day has a good effect. This treatment

usually cures a pretty severe case.

Cold, Taking.--Where cold is easily "taken," it is the skin which is

defective in its action. The cure must therefore deal with it. Even

spasmodic asthma can be traced to the failure of the skin to throw off

waste sufficiently. Men exposed to great heats and chills, women and

children whose nervous energy is small, are liable to this skin

failure. Kneipp linen underwear, besides being more absorbent of

perspiration than woollens, has a stimulating effect on the skin owing

to a certain hardness (by no means unpleasant) of the fibre. Wearing it

is an excellent preventive of skin failure (_see_ Underwear). This may

also be treated by careful, kindly rubbing over the whole body with

warm olive oil, the patient being kept warm during the operation. This

rubbing may with advantage come after a sponging with M'Clinton's soap

(_see_ Soap). To face the wintry blast at half-past five in the morning

is for many severely trying. This treatment the night before will give

immense help to those who are so exposed. It is the best preventive

against taking cold known to us.

There is one great difficulty that stands in the way of such a remedy

as we have suggested--that is, the "trouble" which it implies, not so

much to ourselves as to others. Many a useful life is lost lest

"trouble" should be given. It needs to be well understood that this is

a temptation. If we can buy a quantity of some drug from a chemist

according to the prescription of some medical man, and just quietly

swallow it, that "troubles" nobody. So powders to sweat us, and powders

to stop our sweating, are readily "taken," greatly to increase all

tendency to "take cold." Our relatives and others have, as the fruit of

such a system, worlds of serious trouble and loss that might all be

saved if only a very little trouble were given in the more natural and

reasonable way.

Cold Cloths.--_See_ Towels, Cold Wet.

Constipation.--This trouble is often only aggravated and made chronic

by the use of purgatives. Some simple change of diet, such as a ripe

uncooked apple, eaten before breakfast, or a fruit diet for a day or

two may put all right. So also with the use of wheaten meal porridge or

bread. When this can be taken with pure CANE SYRUP (_see_), the two

together will make such a change in the food as will frequently banish

all inaction of the bowels. Rest must be reckoned on, especially if the

patient has been using purgatives freely. Do not act as if castor oil

were a necessary article of diet. When the constipation is more

obstinate, in the case of a child, good golden syrup may be given, a

teaspoonful after each meal. A quarter of a pound of the best Spanish

liquorice, costing sixpence, should be boiled in a pint of water down

to three-quarters of a pint and strained. A dessertspoonful of this

after each meal may be given instead of the treacle. It is the best

tonic we know, and infinitely better than quinine and other costlier

drugs. If a stronger mixture be desired, put half-an-ounce of senna

leaf in the juice while being boiled. This may be increased to a whole

ounce of senna if still stronger effect be desired.

Some are more liable than others to attacks of constipation, but

chronic constipation may generally be put down to errors in diet, or

want of sufficient exercise. Indigestible foods, such as pastry and

heavy puddings, as well as foods which leave little residue in the

intestine, such as white bread, puddings, arrowroot, are highly

constipating. Tea has also a similar effect, also large quantities of

meat. Constipation is seldom found in vegetarians, since vegetables and

fruits act as a stimulus to the intestine. Brown bread and oatmeal

porridge have also an aperient effect. If it is suspected that milk has

been a cause of constipation in any particular case, it may be boiled

and used with coffee instead of tea.

Much may be done by judicious exercise to relieve chronic constipation,

and help the liver to work (_see_ Appendix; Physical Culture). Deep

breathing will also affect the intestines and urge a motion. Bathing

and massage of the abdomen are also useful (_see_ Massage). Clothing

should be light and loose, tight lacing being a frequent cause of

constipation.

Every effort should be made to keep the bowels regular, as protracted

constipation leads to many painful affections, such as headaches,

piles, and even inflammation of the intestine, the various products of

putrefaction being absorbed and carried through the blood stream. A

daily motion should invariably be solicited at a regular hour. On

rising, before the morning bath, is a good time, though some prefer

just before retiring to bed, and more, probably, go immediately after

breakfast. The great thing is to get into the habit of going daily at a

fixed time; nothing should be allowed to interfere with this, and it is

highly desirable that children should be accustomed to this habit.

Parents should, therefore, see that the schools selected have

sufficient closet accommodation, as schools in private houses often

have but the one closet for a large number. As a result of this

restricted accommodation, the habit of using aperient medicines is

acquired with _very_ injurious results, for if the call of nature is

neglected the desire passes away, and constipation is inevitable. It

soon comes to be a settled condition and will often be the cause of

life-long ill-health. The evils from the formation of such a physical

habit will far outweigh all the so-called accomplishments that may be

acquired.

Hot or cold water taken in sips throughout the day has often proved a

most valuable cure for constipation.

When artificial means are required to move the bowels, an enema is much

to be preferred to drugs. The way to administer it, so as to be most

effective, is as follows: Use a fountain enema holding three quarts.

Put into it two or three quarts of water as warm as can be comfortably

borne. A teaspoonful of salt added to the water will make it more

effective, or soapy water may be used, made from M'Clinton's soap. The

fountain should be hung up as high above the patient as the

india-rubber tube will allow. The patient should lie on the right side,

with knees drawn up. The tube should then be introduced into the

rectum, and should be three or four inches in. The water may then be

turned on with the thumb valve. If the abdomen can be rubbed by an

attendant in an upward direction it will be better. The water should be

retained, if possible, twenty minutes or half-an-hour.

A HOT FOMENTATION (_see_) over the liver, before using the enema, will

make it more effective.

A bulb enema syringe may be used instead of the fountain, and less

water--a pint or even less, and the water tepid or cold, may be

preferred by some. The disadvantage of a bulb syringe is however that

sometimes air gets in along with the water, causing pain and

discomfort.

Consumption, Prevention of.--This most insidious and deadly disease is

caused by a tiny vegetable growth derived from persons or animals

already suffering from tuberculosis. The spit of consumptive patients

swarms with such germs, and when it dries and becomes dust the germs

may be stirred up and breathed, or may mix with food, _e.g._, milk, and

so enter the body. A dried handkerchief may also carry the infection.

But these germs, though continually carried into the lungs of almost

all, do not develop in all. The healthy body can resist them, and it is

only in the body which possesses little resistance, owing to a low

state of health, that they take root, and so start the disease.

Want of pure air, such as is caused by badly ventilated rooms, dark,

damp, and dirty houses, want of good food, or bad food, alcoholic

drinks, frequent illnesses, dirty habits, are powerful causes in

producing this low state of health, which is so favourable to the

growth of the consumptive germ. Therefore we insist on fresh air,

especially for children in schools, for employees in factories, for

clerks in offices. All places of public resort should be provided with

proper ventilation. The breath from the lungs is loaded with poisonous

organic matter, and if continually re-breathed poisons the blood. The

smell of a room is often an indication of whether the air is pure or

not, especially in the nostrils of one entering from the outer air. Let

all windows be kept open day and night, and let fresh air and sunlight

continually flood the room. Nothing will kill disease germs quicker.

Avoid choosing a residence with but little open spaces around, such as

basement tenements and back to back houses. Have an open fireplace in

the room. Gas or oil for lighting, heating, or cooking renders the air

impure, and in need of constant renewal. _See_ Air.

Dirt, either in the house or around, poisons the air, and refuse should

be removed to a distance from the dwelling. Tea leaves should be

sprinkled on floors before being swept. Remove dust with damp dusters,

which should be boiled. Cleanliness should be strictly attended to, and

schools and factories should be plentifully supplied with soap and

water.

The food consumed by the vast majority of people is far from being as

nourishing as it should be. Tea and white bread have replaced porridge

and milk. This should not be. Cocoa might with advantage replace tea,

and porridge and milk by itself would make a highly nutritious meal

(_see_ articles on Diet).

Stimulants are not required by the healthy body, and intemperance is a

fruitful predisposing cause of consumption. Skim milk is not a suitable

food for the young. _See_ Infants' Food.

Infectious diseases, such as Typhoid and Scarlatina, are frequently

conveyed by cow's milk. There is also reason to believe that in certain

cases of Tuberculosis the infection has been conveyed by milk from

tuberculous cows. These risks can only be absolutely avoided by

sterilising the milk, _i.e._, by placing the jug in a pan of water and

bringing the water to the boil, keeping it so for twenty minutes. If

the milk is kept covered, and rapidly cooled by placing in another pan

of cold water, but little boiled taste will be felt. Sometimes,

however, sterilised milk disagrees with an infant; if so, the strictest

watch must be kept on the history of the milk used.

It should be remembered that this disease is not hereditary. It is only

the delicacy of constitution predisposing to the disease that is

inherited. This delicacy may, especially in childhood, be remedied. We

have known hundreds of tender children made strong by liberal daily

MASSAGE (_see_). In all cases where hereditary weakness is feared this

should be resorted to. In many cases nothing more is needed to banish

consumption out of families than the stimulation of the skin by this

massage. Wearing linen underwear (_see_ Underwear) also assists in this

direction and prevents chills. As it is of prime importance to increase

the chest capacity, and this is most easily done in youth, great

attention should be paid to chest expanding exercises (_see_ Appendix)

and deep breathing. The cultivation of singing will greatly help.

Consumption, Treatment of.--Turning now to the case when consumption

has actually shown itself, the above treatment is exactly the course to

be pursued. But we would emphasise the fact that unlimited fresh air

and good nourishing foods are the only cure. If the patient can afford

it, it is best to go to one of the Sanatoria for consumptives in order

that he may see how the fresh air cure is practically carried out. It

means simply breathing every mouthful of air as pure as it can possibly

be obtained. Sleeping out in a hut, with the side completely open, and

with protection only from the rain, with abundance of clothing, and, if

necessary, hot-water jars to supply the required heat, is strongly

recommended, and every hour of the day, as far as possible, should be

spent in the open air, reclining or taking gentle exercise.

The food should be nourishing and abundant. Plenty of milk, butter, and

eggs should form the basis of the diet. The strictest precautions

should be taken against spreading infection, and the patient be made to

understand that these measures are intended not only to protect the

public and his friends, but to allow of his social intercourse with

them, and to assist his own cure. The source of danger being the spit,

it should be collected in a pocket spittoon or piece of paper, and be

destroyed before it has time to dry. Spitting on floors or elsewhere is

highly dangerous. The spittoon should be boiled carefully. A

consumptive should not swallow his phlegm, as the disease may thus be

conveyed to parts of the body not already infected. Kissing a

consumptive person on the lips is attended with risk, and consumptive

patients should not wear a heavy moustache or beard, as the phlegm

drying on the hair is a source of danger.

The bed on which the consumptive lies should not be in a corner, but

out from the wall, so as to admit of cleaning and ventilation. Curtains

and carpets are dust catchers; reduce the amount of such articles as

much as possible. In the event of a death from consumption, the room

occupied by the invalid should not be used again until it has been

thoroughly disinfected. The Public Health Authorities are usually ready

to carry out this work. If not, the floor and woodwork should be wiped

with damp dusters, and then scoured with soap and water. If the walls

are papered, the paper should be well damped, stripped off, and burnt.

If the walls have been white-washed, this should be renewed with

limewash, containing a quarter of a pound of chlorinated lime to the

gallon of limewash. The quilt, pillow case, blankets, and sheets of the

patient's bed should be steeped in boiling water and then washed.

Often consumption is associated with wasting sores on the neck or other

parts, which are extremely difficult to heal. These should be soaked in

warm weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) daily, and dressed with olive oil. They

may be greatly mitigated, if not cured, by this simple means. _See_

Abscess; Bone, Diseased. The directions as to diet in cases of abscess

apply also to these cases. Besides such outward applications, the

rubbing along each side of the spine should be applied. _See_

Children's Healthy Growth. The ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_) may also be

used.

The very rapid pulse, and extreme fever, which accompany advanced and

rapid consumption, may often be greatly mitigated by cooling cloths

applied over the heart. Sponging over the whole body with vinegar or

weak ACETIC ACID (_see_) also greatly refreshes the patient. It may be

done under the bedclothes, so as to avoid all possibility of chill.

Cold cloths over the heart and chest, if they cause chilliness, may be

accompanied with fomentation of the feet and legs.

The temperature of a consumptive should be recorded three times a day,

and if above normal the patient should stay in bed till it is reduced.

When the temperature has been reduced, gentle exercise is very useful.

Gradually increasing walks should be taken each day.

Contraction of Sinews.--This often occurs at the knee, bending the

joint so that the patient cannot stretch his limb or walk properly. The

injury in such a case is usually at the ends of the sinews, where they

are inserted into the bone. If the limb be straightened and put up in

splints, so as to secure perfect rest, it is well to see that once

every twenty-four hours it be removed from its fastenings and treated

in some way to obtain a cure. Otherwise the whole limb will harden into

a straight and unbendable condition, worse than its original bend. When

the fastenings are removed, then, each day, let the limb be rubbed and

bathed for an hour. Treat the whole body with soaping and oil rubbing

(_see_ Lather and Massage). While bathing the limb it is to be rubbed

with this soap, and the lather rubbed gently into all the skin. Rub,

after soaping and drying, with hot olive oil. Dry this off, and wrap

the limb in warm flannel. With this treatment no splints or plaster

jackets are at all likely to be required. The limb usually soon comes

right.

Sometimes this contraction affects the hip joint, and causes great

distress and lameness. The upper end of the thigh bone is even

sometimes drawn a little out of its proper position. For this, the

muscles of the back, and specially of the side and hip which is lame,

are rubbed with gentle pressure and hot olive oil as often and as long

as may be convenient. Strong fomentations are also applied for

half-an-hour daily (_see_ Armchair Fomentation). We know of one case in

which this treatment has cured such contraction both of the knee and

hip joint. Whether the cause be rheumatism or other trouble, or an

injury, the treatment is the same.

Convulsions.--For an ordinary convulsive attack in the case of a child,

hold the child's head over a basin and pour tepid water (blood heat, 98

deg. F.) over the head. This will usually be sufficient. If not, seat

the child in a bath of hot water nearly up to the waist. If bad,

indigestible food causes the fit, give teaspoonfuls of hot water every

few minutes for some hours. If the case is obstinate, a BRAN POULTICE

(_see_) may be put over the lower back, and cold towels gently pressed

over the stomach and bowels.

Fits from children's teething are more troublesome. They may often be

prevented by placing a compress wrung out of cool water along the spine

while the infant is warm in the cradle, and changing it so as to

maintain the cooling effect. A handkerchief folded eight ply does very

well. Four or five changes may be sufficient. Rub with a little warm

oil when the cloth comes off. If the fits do come on, treat as above

directed for fits from indigestion.

Cooking.--The cooking of vegetables requires particular care. The

valuable salts and other nutritive ingredients they contain are easily

dissolved by water, and when they are drained, and the water thrown

away, as is usually done, all this nutriment is lost. Double cooking

pots are easily procurable for meat, porridge, etc. These are quite

suitable for vegetables--cabbage, turnips, carrots, peas, etc. The

vegetable should be placed, without water, in the inner pot; it will

take somewhat longer to cook than when boiled in the usual way. The

outer vessel should be partly filled with water kept boiling. Any juice

which comes out of the vegetable should be served in the dish along

with it. It may be thickened with a little flour and butter, or if a

regular white sauce is being made, the juice should be used instead of

part of the water. If no double boiler is procurable, an ordinary tin

can, inside a saucepan will serve very well. Many who consider certain

vegetables indigestible, as usually prepared, will find that when

cooked in this way they agree with them perfectly. The fact that the

colour of cabbage, peas, etc., is not so green as when boiled in a

great deal of water, is not of importance, when the flavour and

wholesomeness are so much increased. In stews and vegetable soups the

salts are, of course, preserved.

Cooling in Heating.--Often it is difficult to get a sufficient cooling

effect by means of cold cloths without unduly chilling the patient.

When the head has to be cooled, as in the very dangerous disease

meningitis, the effect must pass through the mass of the skull before

reaching the brain. A large and long continued application is needed

for this. The surface is apt then to be overcooled before the interior

of the head is affected. In such a case the surface of the head, when

the patient feels it too cold, should be gently rubbed, as directed in

Eyes, Squinting, until this feeling goes off. Then the cooling may be

resumed. Or if rubbing be disagreeable, a warm cloth may be applied for

a short time, and cooling then resumed. In this way a succession of

_waves_ of heating and cooling can for a long time be sent through the

surface, with good effect and no chill. The short heating restores the

surface, and does not interfere with the cooling effect reaching the

interior parts. The same principle applies to cooling any part of the

body (_see_ Bathing). Any _deep-seated_ inflammation is best reached in

this way.

For instance, in the large hip-joints it is of vast importance to reach

inflammatory action in parts that are not near the surface, and cold

cloths, pressed constantly, produce distress in the surface, if there

is no intermission in supplying them. The patient is apt to rush to the

conclusion that he must just yield to be blistered, painted with

iodine, covered with belladonna plaster, or burned with red-hot irons!

That is, he will yield to be made a great deal worse in every respect

than he is, because he is not aware that it is quite possible to cure

him without making him worse even for a moment.

Coughs.--These will be found treated under the various heads of Colds,

Bronchitis, Consumption, etc., but some particular cases of _mere

cough_ demand special attention. A tickling cough sometimes comes on,

and seems to remain in spite of all efforts to get rid of it. It is

worse at night, and keeps the sufferer from sleeping, causing much

distress. Where the breathing organs are weak, this cough is caused by

an extra flow of blood to them, especially on lying down, the blood

acting as an irritant by pressing where it should not. In such cases a

BRAN POULTICE (_see_) applied as directed for Bronchitis, with cooling

applications to the part where the tickling is felt, should soon effect

a cure. _See_ Restlessness.

We had a case lately in which these features were very marked. It

seemed as if the patient had caught cold and this was showing itself in

severe and alarming coughing. The skin was yellow, and there were other

signs of failure in the organs that purify the blood. Irritating

substances were passing into the lungs because of failure in the liver

and kidneys, and not from anything in the lungs themselves. In such

cases the cough is merely a way of throwing off everything which ought

not to be in the breathing organs.

The remedy is very simple. Let the patient take about three

tablespoonfuls of hot water every ten minutes for four hours. Before

these four hours are expired, the substances causing irritation will be

so diluted that they will cease to irritate, and the organs failing to

do their duty will be in full working order.

Cramp in the Limbs.--The treatment of this is to apply cold cloths to

the roots of the nerves which govern the affected limb or limbs. For

the legs, the cold is applied to the lower spine; for the arms or

hands, it is applied to the upper part. The limbs affected should also

be rubbed briskly with the hands, or a rough towel. Often the

irritating heat causing the cramp is in but a small part of the spine,

and the whole body is cold, or at least too chilly to make the cold

cloths a pleasant cure. In such a case FOMENTATION (_see_) of the feet

and legs will supply sufficient heat to make the cure by cold pleasant

and safe.

Cramp in the Stomach.--This very severe trouble, though resisting

ordinary methods of treatment, is not difficult to cure by right means.

If help is at hand, the patient may be placed in a shallow bath, and

cold water splashed with a sponge or towel against the back. A bad case

has been cured with two minutes of this treatment. After it, the

patient must be well dried and put to bed.

When help is not available, a substitute for the cold splashing is a

thick cold compress, the length of the spine, which must be laid on the

bed, and the patient lie down on it. This must be changed when it grows

hot, and a few changes usually give relief.

Persons who are suffering have often very strong prejudices. For

example, one who has decided most firmly that he "cannot do at all with

anything cold," is suffering from cramp, and nothing but cold will

relieve him, but you must not even hint at any such application. You

must in such a case consider how this prejudice took its rise. You will

probably find that cold has been unskilfully applied to this patient,

and bad effects have been produced, not by the cold, but by its

unskilful application. For instance, in a case of cramp the irritation

and excess of heat may be both confined to a very small space, no more

than that which is filled by the root of one nerve; the rest of the

body may be cold rather than hot. There is need first that this general

cold should be dealt with, and a general heat produced by some means or

other. This is usually best done by packing feet and legs in a hot

blanket fomentation. But this again is not an easy matter when cramp

prevails. If you move the limbs in the least the cramp comes on, and

the patient screams with pain. Still, you need not be defeated; you can

let the limbs lie, and heat them from above by placing the hot blanket

over them as they lie. As soon as you get heat raised in the body

generally, by some such means as this, you are safe enough to apply all

the cold that is needed. That may be so little that a common

pocket-handkerchief will be enough. This wrung out of cold water, and

folded so as to cover about three inches square of the lower part of

the spine, may be gently pressed. If this is really well done, there

will be no shivering from the cold, and there probably will be a

cessation of the cramp. The one thing wanted is that the cold cloth

shall be placed right over the root of the nerve which is irritated,

and consequently overheated. The prejudice is thus overcome, and it is

seen that cold is not to be absolutely avoided, because it has been

once or twice, or many times, wrongly applied.

To prevent the cramp returning, means must be adopted to increase vital

energy in the system. Entire mental rest for an hour after meals must

be taken. If the patient says "I cannot get this," then he simply will

soon have to give up all work, and perhaps narrowly escape a departure

from this working world altogether.

Each morning before rising, the compress should be applied as above for

a short time; the back should then be rubbed with hot olive oil before

dressing. This treatment, and proper rest, will prevent return of the

cramp. If the patient falls asleep on the compress, allow this sleep to

continue unbroken: it is invaluable. So also is the avoidance of all

anxious thought, which is best secured by complete trust in a loving

God and Saviour.

Croup, Less Serious Form.--The less serious croup proceeds from a

nervous closing of the windpipe, the attack being brought on by any

causes of irritation in the nervous system. In this case, when the fit

reaches a certain stage, the throat opens, and breathing proceeds as

usual. This croup is a cramp of the windpipe; the cramp is caused by an

irritation of the nerves controlling it, which are already in a

condition to be easily irritated. The cure is to apply cooling cloths

to the spine. Take the child warm in bed in the morning, and rub the

little back with warm olive oil. Ring out a towel of _cool_, not quite

cold, water; fold this into a narrow compress, and place it along the

spine; place a dry towel above it and wrap up warm. Change for a fresh

cool towel in two or three minutes. If the child falls asleep on this,

leave him till he wakes voluntarily. Rub the back again with oil before

dressing. The cooling may continue for an hour or so. If this treatment

fail, the child may be given medicine to produce vomiting, which

frequently relieves. Before putting to bed at night wash the child all

over with plenty of M'Clinton's SOAP (_see_), dry and rub over with

warm olive oil. Continue this treatment for some days.

Croup, More Serious Form.--This is caused by an accumulation of

material in the windpipe, which is coughed up in pieces of pipe-like

substance, and which, if not removed, threatens suffocation. For

treatment, first give sips of hot water (distilled water is best)

frequently. We have seen only five teaspoonfuls of this taken by a

child followed by the throwing off of such a quantity of matter from

the throat as had nearly caused suffocation. The further treatment is

the bran poultice between the shoulders, and cold cloths on the chest,

as prescribed in the article on Bronchitis. These may not cure in all

cases, but will do so in many apparently otherwise hopeless. The moment

the symptoms are perceived, treatment should be begun, as this disease

is very rapid in its progress.

When an actual attack of croup of this kind comes on, and is severe, it

is usual to put the child in a warm bath. If the water is a little

below blood heat, and laved on the back, this will go far to relieve;

but it will not have a tenth of the effect which a cold towel will

have, if placed along the spine. It is indeed wonderful how spasms and

the various forms of cramp give way to this. When a little warm olive

oil is first rubbed on and then off, there is no danger of cold or of

any bad effect (_see_ Cramp in Stomach). If this croup is obstinate,

there may be more serious disease of the throat, and good medical

advice should be had.

Cures Losing their Effect.--After a fortnight's treatment often matters

seem to come to a standstill in a case, and then the attendants are apt

to despair. Such a state of things indicate only the need for some

change in treatment, or perhaps for a rest from treatment for some

days. Common sense must guide, and the case may be more keenly looked

into: it may have changed its character in the time that has passed,

and different treatment require to be given. It is well not to give up

until all has been tried which in any way seems likely to suit the

case. All the various articles bearing on it should be carefully read

and pondered, and no doubt the way to change the treatment will open

up. _See_ Changing Treatment.

Cures, as Self-Applied.--Often young people in lodgings are in

difficulty for want of some one to apply the necessary treatment in

their own case. It is often, however, possible to treat oneself quite

successfully by exercising care and common sense. Help should always be

got if possible, but where it cannot, it may be done without. In the

case of applying cold cloths to any part, when it is necessary to

change these frequently, a basin of cold water may stand by the bedside

so that the patient can wring out towels without getting up. A still

better plan is to have several towels wrung out to begin with--these

may be hung over a rail or chairs until required. When the first has

been heated it must be hung over the rail or chair so as to be as much

spread out as possible. Evaporation will then cool it sufficiently to

be used when its turn comes again. Each towel is to be treated in a

similar way in turn. Four towels will give an hour's cooling with very

little trouble in this way. So a bran poultice may be prepared and laid

on the bed, so that one can lie down on it, and with the cold towels

handy, as above, most effective treatment given. Common sense is the

guide here, as everywhere in our treatment, and a little thought will

solve difficulties at first apparently insoluble.

Damp Beds.--An ordinary bed which has not been slept in for some weeks,

although perfectly dry to begin with, will _become_ damp, even in a dry

house, and, unless properly dried, will be a great danger to its next

occupant. This is a preventable danger, and all who entertain guests

should see that they are not exposed to it. Many a fatal illness is due

to the culpable carelessness of those who put a guest into such a bed.

Ignorance in such a matter is shameful. All who have charge in a house

should fully understand their responsibility in this matter.

But if you are put into such a bed it is infinitely better to rise and

dress, and make the best of a night of discomfort, than to sleep among

the damp. If, however, you have so slept, and feel the bad effect, the

best cure will be the SOAPY BLANKET (_see_). If this cannot be had, a

good hot footbath, with the heat kept just comfortable for half-an-hour

or more, will do very well. This should be done at the earliest

possible moment.

It will add greatly to the efficiency of such treatment if hot water

can be had to drink in small quantities, and often. A few drops of

cayenne "tea" in the water will act as a gentle stimulant.

Old-fashioned folk place great confidence in a "hot drink" in such a

case. This is all very well if they only keep the alcohol out of it:

that destroys vital resources, but never supplies them. We have known

cases in which all power was lost through a single night in a damp bed.

Possibly in these cases it might not have been easy to restore the lost

vitality by any amount of treatment; but we rather think that a speedy

application of genial heat all over would have restored it. In some

apparently hopeless instances it has done so.

Deafness.--_See_ Hearing.

Decline.--_See_ Consumption.

Declining Limb, A.--_See_ Limbs, Drawn up.

Delirium in Fever.--The best way of treating this truly distressing

symptom is by cooling and soothing applications to the head. We have

seen in one case large cool cloths applied to the head for some time

every three hours or so. An almost immediate cessation of the delirium

followed this application, and it only returned a few minutes before

the time for the next cooling. If the pulse becomes rather slow than

rapid, and the body rather cool than hot, while delirium still

continues, then hot cloths may be applied to the head. When either hot

or cold appliances are removed, rub olive oil into the roots of the

hair, and dry off.

An excellent treatment is also to cover the whole head with soap

lather. _See_ Head, Soaping.

It is to be noted that the state of the patient determines the

treatment. If he is hot, cold treatment is required. If he is cool or

chilly, then give the warm treatment. If he _changes_ from hot to cold,

then alter the treatment accordingly.

In some diseases delirium occurs, not because of fever, but because of

poisonous elements in the blood supplied to the brain. This is the case

in liver and kidney troubles, when waste products are not got rid of by

these organs as they should be.

To get these organs to work, the best thing is to drink half a

teacupful of hot water every ten minutes for two hours at a time. Do

this once a day for two days. Probably it will cause purging, but that

is part of the cure. If the case does not yield in any way to this, a

large hot bran poultice should be placed over the whole of the _right_

side under the arm, from the spine right round to the breast-bone

(_see_ Bran Poultice). This should be renewed if necessary, so as to

keep up the heat for an hour. Next day place a similar poultice over

all the lower part of the back, so as to help the kidneys and bowels.

Dry after these poultices, and rub gently with warm olive oil. The

delirium will usually yield to a few days of such treatment. We have

seen the reason under such treatment return with a rapidity that

astonished the medical attendant. He had given the patient three months

to gain what was complete in less than one. _See_ Fever.

Depression.--This is usually a bodily illness, though often regarded as

mental only. It appears in loss of interest in all that otherwise would

be most interesting. A mother loses interest in her children, a man in

his business, and so on. Students, and children overpressed at lessons,

are apt to suffer from it. It is simply the result of a drain of energy

from the system, until the brain has an insufficient supply. Those who

have the care of the young would do well to watch carefully against

this state coming on. If it appears, all work should be given up, and

as much play take its place as possible. No cramming of ideas into a

weakening mind can ever be equal to the possession of health and

energy, as a preparation for life.

Treatment should be such as to restore energy. The whole back should be

fomented with a large blanket fomentation, being rubbed with olive oil

before and after. Let this be done for an hour in the morning; in the

evening give the ARMCHAIR FOMENTATION (_see_). Carry this on for a

week, and then rest for another week, only rubbing the back with a

little hot olive oil each night. Cultivate open-air life; sleep as much

as possible--eight hours at least, or better nine. Carefully prepared

and easily digested food should be given, and change of company, scene,

and climate are most effective helps; but rest from work is the chief

matter. _See_ Restlessness and Worry.

Diabetes.--There are two more or less distinct stages of this serious

trouble; the first stage is generally curable, the second stage

generally incurable. Yet good natural means of cure will very much

alleviate even the incurable stage. The earlier as well as the later

stages are marked by extreme _thirst_. This, in the case of some poor

sufferers, is enormous. Gallons of water are taken, and the more is

taken the more is wanted. But this thirst is not the effect of heat, as

fever thirst is. It cannot be quenched by means of cold cloths often

changed over the stomach, as fever thirst can. A sufferer in this

disease will set a large pitcher down at the bedside to serve for the

night, and drink it all before morning; but there is no extra heat

anywhere to account for this. The thirst is more like that which is

caused by eating very salt food. It points to the character of the

juices which are affecting the stomach, and not to any heated condition

of the stomach itself. The drinking is a desperate effort to dilute

these juices; and, at least by cold water, that cannot be done. A

wineglassful of hot water taken every ten minutes for an hour, or two

hours, or three, or ten hours, as is felt to be comfortable, will do

wonders in the early stages of this disease. This water, when taken at

the right heat, at once mixes with the strongly concentrated juices of

the stomach, and causes them to be easily managed by that and other

organs. It is truly wonderful what this very simple remedy will effect

by itself alone. The next thing to be noticed is the excessive hunger.

The food, whatever it may be, fails to quell this hunger. Here, again,

it is clearly the stomach with which we have to do. When the hunger is

developed we should think the case further advanced than when thirst

alone is experienced. The hot water meets this symptom as it meets the

other. It is also of the very greatest moment to give right food.

Oatmeal and buttermilk steeped together for a time and then moderately

boiled, a very little salt or sugar being added, produces a food which

we do not expect to see excelled by the most costly that can be got

anywhere. Wheaten meal, or barley meal, will do as well as, and perhaps

in some cases better than, oatmeal, but these may be chosen according

to taste. The chief thing is the ease with which this food is converted

into a large supply of the best of blood for all purposes of

nourishment. Food containing much starchy matter, as white bread, rice,

and all sugar, must be forbidden. To make up for this, an abundance of

fat should be consumed. The bowels should be kept open by a suitable

diet and exercise.

Now we come to the excessive urinary discharge which is so strong a

feature of this disease. The body seems as if it were melting away in

this.

We can benefit the kidneys vastly through acting on the liver, as well

as on themselves. By a large hot bran poultice over the liver we can

add new life to that, and whatever does so tends to benefit the

kidneys. After using this large poultice, with plenty of oil rubbed on

before and after, say three or four times, place it over the kidneys

and use it as often there. If the heat is well kept up for an hour at a

time, one poultice a day would do, but, if the patient desires it,

twice a day will be all the better. It is good to do the best that can

be done with the skin. By means of soap and oil rubbing, and the

cleansing effects of diluted acetic acid, very considerable help may be

gained. Good can be done by a hot fomentation of the feet and legs to

the knees, with oiling after, so as to have these extremities in a

comfortable state. Tea, coffee, and sugar _must be avoided_.

Diarrhoea.--Sudden attacks of this, though in a mild form, are very

troublesome. An enema of _cold_ water is in such cases often an

immediate cure. The first injection may be followed by even an

excessive motion, but if a second cold injection be given this will

cease. But in more troublesome cases, where the patient is an infant,

or very weak, this is not applicable. For such cases, mix equal

quantities of honey and lemon juice (one or two teaspoonfuls of each),

and add enough boiling water to dilute it for taking. Give this three

or even four times a day. It will usually and speedily cure, and is

relished by infants.

Often the cause of diarrhoea in infants is the infection of milk by

flies (_see_ British Cholera), or from dirty feeding bottles. Bottles

with tubes should _never_ be used. The india-rubber teat should be

smelt to see that it is perfectly sweet and clean before the bottle is

filled. Unsuitable or too rich food will bring this trouble on.

A tablespoonful of blackberry (or brambleberry as it is also called)

jelly may be given--it is a powerful and simple remedy. In adults, a

dose of castor oil, with a few drops of laudanum in it, will probably

remove all trouble, if it be due to nothing more than indigestible

food. Where the cold enema is dreaded, one of hot thin starch, with

fifteen drops of laudanum in it, may be used for adults.

Stale vegetable or animal food, also impure water, are fruitful sources

of diarrhoea.

The mind has a great effect on this trouble, anxiety and worry are

frequent causes. _See_ Worry. A comfortable seat by the fire, and an

interesting book, will often relieve.

When the diarrhoea is very serious, use the four-ply flannel bandage.

_See_ Bandage; British Cholera; Dysentery.

Diet.--The composition of different articles of food varies. A turnip

is not the same as a piece of cheese. It is more watery, and has more

fibre in it, and we speak of it as less nutritious. There are, however,

in almost all foods certain chemical substances present which have

different duties to perform in the body, and which are present in

widely different proportions in the various articles we use for food.

_Water_ is the most common of these substances. Soups, vegetables,

fruits, puddings, are largely water. Some foods contain less of it than

others, but on the whole a very large, if not the largest, part of all

food consists of water. This large amount is needed. Water makes up

two-thirds of the body, and nearly two quarts are given off daily in

the various excretions and secretions. If enough be not taken the

tissues get dry, and Nature indicates her want in thirst.

Another of these substances is _starch_, or its equivalent, sugar.

Rice, bread, and vegetables in general, are largely made up of this

starchy or sugary substance, which, as it contains a considerable

quantity of carbon, we speak of as the _carbonaceous_ element in food.

This is the substance which goes to feed the muscles, replacing the

waste from work done, just as fuel is required for the fires of an

engine.

Yet another substance in food is _fat_. It may be animal, such as beef

or mutton fat, and butter, or vegetable, as the oils in nuts, in the

olive, etc. Fat, like carbonaceous food, also goes to feed the muscles,

but both are required in a healthy diet.

Of the first importance, however, is the _proteid_ element in food.

Meat, milk, cheese, eggs, peas, etc., contain proteid in considerable

quantities. Its use is to repair the exhausted tissues themselves. The

muscles and nerves get worn out in their daily work, and require

rebuilding. This is what proteid goes to do, and from this, its high

import in animal economy, is called Proteid (protos--first). Finally,

in all natural foods there are certain _salts_, which also build up,

_e.g._, lime, which goes to make up bone. These salts may be seen in

the ash of any common vegetable after being burnt.

These four kinds of food substance make up our daily food, and a

certain amount of each substance is required to replace the daily

expenditure, a proportion which varies, however, under different

circumstances. _See_ Food in Health.

As the relative amount of proteid, carbonaceous matter, water, and

salts, may vary considerably in different articles, we rightly have

combinations of food at our meals. A pudding of corn-flour and water

contains no building material, hence we add milk and eggs, which do. A

meal of meat and cheese requires bread and potatoes, etc., etc.

Appetite is a good test of the amount and also of the particular kind

of food required, provided the appetite is in a healthy condition. If a

healthy man refrain from carbonaceous foods for a day or so, he feels a

great longing for them, a sign that the body really needs them. It is

of immense importance, then, that the appetite should not be accustomed

to over-indulgence, for then it is no guide in our selection of foods

(_see_ Appetite). If disease indicates such over-indulgence, food

should be restricted till the appetite is accustomed to a smaller diet.

Bilious people, for example, may have accustomed their appetite to

desire more carbonaceous and fatty foods than necessary. On the

contrary, badly-fed people often require a coaxing of the appetite to

eat strengthening foods, such as oatmeal, cheese, and brown bread.

In order to regulate our diet, it is of importance to have some idea of

the composition of common articles of food. We get our food, as

everybody knows, from the vegetable and animal kingdoms. The majority

of the Anglo-Saxon race live on a diet of animal and vegetable

combined, but many exclude flesh from their diet. In Southern Asia, for

example, the vast bulk of the people rarely, or never, touch meat. The

vegetable kingdom supplies us largely with the carbonaceous or

muscle-forming food, whereas the animal kingdom is rich in proteid, or

tissue-forming food. Much proteid, however, can be obtained from the

vegetable kingdom--peas, beans, lentils, dried fruits, and nuts being

particularly rich in it. We should endeavour to cultivate an appetite

for these vegetables containing proteid, as it is a great mistake to

rely entirely for this element on meat, as so many of our race do. The

animal products--such as cheese, milk, and eggs--will also form an

efficient substitute for much flesh-food. This simple diet suits both

the brain-worker and the athlete, though each will have to make a

selection of those foods most required by him. Certainly much animal

food is liable to produce kidney disease, gout, and kindred troubles.

If we have a tendency to corpulence (and many have this in advancing

years), to resort to an exclusive meat diet will produce these

troubles. Far better abstain from vegetables, such as potatoes, and

from sweet dishes, pastry, etc., and eat largely of the green-leaf

vegetables and fruits with the articles of a simple diet which build

but do not fatten the body. (_See_ Diet and Corpulence; Diet for Middle

Age, and the Aged.)

Fruit is a very useful article of food. The acid helps to keep the

blood alkaline (which alkalinity is necessary for the normal

performance of its functions). It prevents acidity of the stomach. The

dried fruits, such as dates, figs, raisins, are very rich in proteid.

Nuts also are rich in proteid and in fat; they require, however,

careful mastication. Mills can be purchased cheaply for grinding nuts;

the ground meal, either alone or made into a cream, forms a delicious

adjunct to stewed fruit.

Green vegetables are a much neglected food. The salts they contain are

very useful. They require careful cooking. A cabbage boiled in the

ordinary way loses in the water its valuable salts. In case of

flatulence arising from indigestion, the use of vegetables may,

however, require to be restricted, at least for a time. Some vegetables

are palatable raw, such as salads and celery. Indeed, raw vegetables

have a tonic effect on the bowels.

Bread should never be too fresh, and should be thoroughly chewed.

Zwieback (twice baked) can be recommended, especially for those who

suffer from indigestion. It is made by cutting bread, preferably

wheaten, in thin slices, and putting these in a slow oven till

thoroughly dry and lightly browned. Wholemeal bread should always be

present on the table, as its use prevents constipation. Indian corn can

be made into a number of palatable cakes, and is a very nutritious

food. Home-made jam and honey are digestible forms of sugar, but like

all sugar foods should be consumed in moderation, especially by

sedentary individuals. Condiments should be avoided, the healthy

appetite is better without them, and they irritate the stomach.

Regarding animal foods, they are often spoilt by over-cooking, and it

should be remembered that when lightly done they are easiest to digest.

White fish, tender steak, or juicy joint and cutlet are superior to the

oily fish, and kidney, liver, and heart. These internal organs should

be avoided, as they contain even more than the rest of the animal

certain extracts liable to produce URIC ACID (_see_). Milk, cheese,

eggs, and butter are not open to these objections. Cheese is a food

very rich in proteid. It requires careful chewing, and may with

advantage be grated before use. Buttermilk is a valuable and

strengthening food. A generation or so ago the Scotch peasants lived

almost exclusively on buttermilk and oatmeal, and were a magnificent

type of men in every respect. Whey is a pleasant drink, and may be made

a substitute for tea where the latter is prohibited. It is also

beneficial for the kidneys. Jellies are a pleasant addition to the diet

of convalescents, but have little nutritive value.

We would strongly urge upon our readers the advantages of simple diet.

We mean by this the avoidance of all those rich and spiced dishes which

are made up in so many ways to tempt the appetite, of alcohol in every

form, of meat to the extent often consumed by the well-to-do, of pastry

and such indigestible food as heavy cakes, of fried food in general;

and, on the other hand, the adoption of a diet largely consisting of

milk, cheese, eggs, butter, cereals, root and green vegetables, fruits,

and nuts. It will not be found an expensive diet; on the contrary, it

is remarkably cheap; it will give little trouble, for but little

cooking will be needed. It may require some little effort at first, and

some breakings with social customs, but far less of both than will be

imagined. Seeing that a large part of disease is ultimately traceable

to a rich and stimulating diet, and to too much food in general,

simplicity is imperative on all who seek for the preservation of

health. Eat less, eat better (or more slowly, with perfect

mastication), eat simpler foods at your meals, eat at these meals only

when you require it, and never between your meals. Such eating will

ensure good digestion, good assimilation, good blood, and good health.

Diet and Corpulence.--A tendency to obesity should always be carefully

checked by attention to diet and exercise (_see_ Exercise). The

fattening foods are those which contain either fat or carbonaceous

substances. Carbonaceous substances are found in bread, sugar,

arrowroot, puddings in general, pastry, potatoes. The fats, such as

butter, cream, and animal fat, should be much restricted in their use.

As we have above indicated, however, it is not wise, as many corpulent

people do in their efforts to get rid of this superabundance of fat, to

make up for their restriction by an increase in the quantity of meat

consumed. Cheese, peas, beans, buttermilk, and oatmeal might with

advantage be drawn upon instead. At the same time, if the circulation

is good it is well with such proteid diet to increase the amount of

water drunk during the day, as this helps to eliminate the waste which

would otherwise overtax the kidneys. Green vegetables and fruits should

form a large part of the diet.

It must be remembered that it is dangerous to strike out at once all

fattening foods from the diet; many have injured their health

permanently by such injudicious haste, and brought on floating kidneys,

etc. Remember, also, that exercise is a much safer reducer of fat than

a very great reduction in diet, unless there has been a decided

tendency to continually overeat. All alcoholic beverages must be

strictly forbidden.

Diet for the Lean.--To a large extent the preceding article will

suggest what is suitable here, remembering, however, that regular

exercise will be also necessary in order to enable the muscles to

increase in size. Green vegetables and fruits should be largely used in

addition to the carbonaceous foods, as their FOOD SALTS (_see_) are

necessary to keep the blood in a condition to allow of proper

assimilation. In the case of nervous and consumptive patients, the more

digestible forms of fat, such as cream and butter, are to be

recommended. Some thin people do not seem able to assimilate much fat.

These cases will do better on a smaller quantity. Remember always that

it is not what is eaten, but what is assimilated, that goes to increase

the weight, therefore if any particular food is found, after a careful

trial, to constantly disagree, it must be accepted that for that one at

all events, it is not a suitable article of diet.

Diet for Middle Age and the Aged.--In advancing years when less

exercise is, as a rule, taken, a restriction in the amount of food

consumed is highly desirable. The increasing corpulence, which often

begins to show itself from 30 to 40, is far from being a healthy sign;

indeed, is often the premonitory symptom of serious disease. It should

be remembered that a lessening quantity of food is required from middle

life on. This applies to all the elements of food. It is noticeable

that a fat person seldom lives to old age, most octogenarians being

thin and wiry, and almost all attribute their long life to increasing

watchfulness over their health, and largely over what they eat.

When a person is young and taking active exercise, a good deal of

surplus food can be worked off, and if the excess be too great, a

bilious attack tends to prevent any more being taken, for a time at

least.

But as we get on in life, the surplus food, if much is eaten, is

deposited in various parts of the body as fatty or gouty accumulations.

The liver becomes deranged, and loss of health and strength are at once

apparent.

It is then, as Sir Henry Thompson has well pointed out, that the fond

but foolish wife often does her husband incalculable harm by her

efforts to "keep up his system." She urges and tempts him to take more

food, fetching him, between meals, cups of beef-tea, soup, or cocoa,

when he really would be greatly the better of total abstinence from all

food for several days. What we have said about appetite being the best

guide applies to the old especially, and if they could but realize what

a very small quantity of food is necessary, they would not be perturbed

to find that their appetite guided them to eat very much less than at a

younger age.

Milk, which is the ideal food for the very young, is for that reason

often undesirable for the old, and it is a great mistake for such to

drink much of it with solid food.

Diet for the very aged becomes mainly a question of invalid diet, and

it must be remembered that much should be granted to the individual's

choice and liking. All foods for the aged should be light and easily

digested, and careful attention paid to proper cooking.

A striking example of lost health recovered and life and activity

prolonged to a great age, by strict temperance in food, is Cornaro, a

Venetian nobleman of the sixteenth century, who lived over 100 years.

He says:--"Our kind mother Nature, in order that old men may live to

still greater age, has contrived matters so that they should be able to

subsist on little, as I do, for large quantities of food cannot be

digested by old and feeble stomachs. By always eating little, the

stomach, not being much burdened, need not wait long to have an

appetite. It is for this reason that dry bread relishes so well with

me.... When one arrives at old age, he ought to divide that food of

which he was accustomed to make but two meals into four, and as in his

youth he made but two collations in a day, he should in his old age

make four, provided he lessen the quantity as his years increase. And

this is what I do, agreeably to my own experience; therefore my

spirits, not oppressed by much food, but barely kept up, are always

brisk, especially after eating, nor do I ever find myself the worse for

writing immediately after meals, nor is my understanding ever clearer,

or am I apt to be drowsy, the food I take being in too small a quantity

to send up fumes to the brain. Oh, how advantageous it is for an old

man to eat but little! Accordingly, I, who know it, eat but just enough

to keep body and soul together."

Digestion.--Digestion is the process whereby the food we eat is turned

into material fit to be assimilated by the blood. It begins in the

mouth by the mechanical grinding and crushing of the food, and the

chemical conversion of the starchy part into sugar, in which form alone

it can be assimilated. This conversion is carried out by the saliva.

Hence the necessity for thorough mastication, even of sloppy foods that

do not seem to require it, and for attention to the teeth in order that

they may thoroughly chew. Alcohol and tobacco, as they spoil the

saliva, are very unfavourable to digestion, and should always be

avoided. Twenty minutes longer to chew one's dinner is worth a whole

box of pills, and no one need expect good digestion who neglects

thorough chewing and salivation of the food. This may, with advantage,

be increased to an extent which most people would think quite absurd.

It has been proved that when all food is chewed until completely

reduced to a liquid, its nutritive qualities are so increased that

about half as much will suffice. This is of immense importance in all

cases of weak digestion, or indeed whenever an absence of vigorous

health renders the economy of vital energy important.

[Illustration: Digestive System.]

In the stomach the food meets with the gastric juice, which has the

property of turning proteid (_see_ Diet for the various substances

contained in food) into material ready for assimilation. The walls of

the stomach are muscular, and their contraction churns the food with

the juice. The gastric juice is secreted by glands embedded in the

walls of the stomach, and is poured out when food is taken.

The whole food, now in the form of a paste, passes into a pipe about 12

inches long (the Duodenum), into which pours the secretion of the

pancreas and that of the liver (bile). The pancreatic juice acts upon

the starch which has escaped the action of the saliva, and also

continues the work of the stomach. It furthermore emulsifies the fat or

divides it into extremely fine drops.

The food passes now into a long coiled pipe--the small intestine. This

secretes the intestinal juice which further assists the pancreatic

juice. Absorption has been proceeding from the stomach onwards (_see_

Assimilation). The mass of undigested food is pushed along the small

intestine by means of muscles in its walls and passes into the large

intestine where a similar process to that of the small intestine goes

on, the remains of the food ultimately reaching the vent in a semi

solid form, consisting of the undigested part and the débris of

digestion.

During this complex process much blood and energy is needed for the

abdominal region, therefore hard work or exercise should not

immediately follow a meal. It will be noticed that each stage of

digestion prepares the food for the next stage _e.g._, the mouth

prepares the food for the stomach. Now, as the food ceases to be under

our control when it leaves the mouth, every effort should, as we have

said, there be made to prepare the food for its reception by the

stomach. Chew food dry as far as possible, for that excites saliva. It

is best not to drink till after the meal. The digestive powers often

become weakened in advancing years, but may be greatly preserved, and

even restored to health after long debility, by careful attention to

the above hints.

Drinks made of lemon juice or orange juice and water are often very

good to help an invalid digestion, but nothing is better than sips of

hot water for some time before a meal. Distilled water is especially a

most valuable drink. Cooling applications to a fevered stomach and warm

fomentations to a cold one will often promote digestion marvellously.

The feet and legs may be fomented if cold while the cold cloth is

pressed over the stomach, especially if the process be long continued.

Where heat is necessary it should be gradually and cautiously applied,

so that sickening the patient may be avoided. (_See also_ Assimilation,

Food in Health, Indigestion).

Diet, Economy in.--Dr. Hutchison, one of our greatest authorities on

the subject of Dietetics, has well said--

"The dearest foods are by no means the best. 'Cheap and nasty' is not a

phrase which can be applied to things which you eat. A pound of Stilton

cheese at 1s. 2d. contains no more nutriment than a pound of American

cheese at sixpence. A given weight of bloater will yield more building

material than the same quantity of salmon or sole.

"The upper classes in this country eat too much. The labouring classes

are insufficiently fed--much worse fed than their brethren in America.

One of the chief consequences is an undue craving for alcoholic

stimulants; another is that our poor are not properly armed against

tuberculosis and epidemic disease.

"How can this be rectified? Anyone who knows anything about the poor

man's budget knows that he already spends as much on food as he is

able. As it is, 50 per cent. of a workman's wages are absorbed in its

purchase, so that half the struggle for life is a struggle for food.

"The only remedy is to buy the things which are the most nourishing and

which yield the most energy. Quite a good diet can be obtained for

fourpence a day, yet the average working man spends sevenpence.

"I advise the buying of more vegetable foods, particularly peas, beans,

and lentils, and the cheaper varieties of fish. The working classes

should also be taught how to cook cheese, and thus make it more

digestible, as the Italians do. Cheese contains much building material,

and is therefore a valuable article of diet.

"I strongly recommend one good meal of oatmeal a day, instead of so

much bread, butter, and tea, which is the staple diet of so many poor

families, because it is easily prepared, and because of human laziness.

"Skimmed milk is better than no milk at all, for it contains all the

original proteids, and has only lost its fat. More dripping and

margarine should be eaten, instead of jam; margarine being quite as

digestible and nourishing as butter."

Vegetable oils are, however, more digestible than animal fats. Cocoanut

butter is a cheap and excellent substitute for margarine or butter. As

it contains no water it will go much further.

Another instance of bad economy is the use of cod liver oil. Butter or

even cream are quite as fattening and much more digestible.

Malt extract is much dearer than honey, which is superior to it in

value as a food.

To supply a healthy man with the amount of proteid required by him

daily in beef extracts would cost 7s., in milk (a comparatively

expensive food) would only cost about 1s.

Diphtheria.--The most striking symptom of diphtheria is the growth of a

substance in the upper part of the windpipe, which threatens to close

it entirely. Good medical skill is of first importance here, yet much

may be done where that is not available. We have often seen the

swallowing of a little hot water and treacle enable the children to

throw up the entire obstruction and make the breathing perfectly free.

Mark at once whether the feet are cold or warm. If cold, oil them well

with olive oil, and pack in a hot blanket fomentation to the knees.

When the feet and knees are thoroughly warm in this, put a cold cloth

on the back of the neck down between the shoulders. Change this as

often as felt comfortable. The throat may be brushed out with a weak

solution of Condy's Fluid, but a strong solution of common salt will do

very well. Good white vinegar and water (_see_ Acetic Acid) is perhaps

best of all. We have never seen this fail in changing the character of

such growths, and if the windpipe can be washed out repeatedly with it,

we should feel sure of a desirable result. Now, we have seen a humble

working man's wife wash out the throat of her son as well as any

medical man could do it, using Condy's Fluid for the purpose with full

success. When you can, have the help of a medical man, but when you are

so placed that such help is impossible, you need not fear to try

yourself. If there is much fever, cold cloths may be applied to the

head to reduce the heat. As the disease is strongly infectious, care

should be taken to isolate the patient, and attendants should avoid his

breath. Abundance of fresh air and light should be allowed to enter the

room, and one window at least should be open as far as possible.